5 TV Trends to Watch for in 2017

Based on what we’re seeing at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, 2017 is shaping up as an interesting year for anyone shopping for a new TV. While there weren’t any knock-your-socks-off developments that will revolutionize consumers’ choices, you’ll see some important changes in what’s available. In general, TVs are getting bigger, with more 65- to 75-inch models being shown at CES—with prices coming down, televisions that big are within reach for many shoppers. And televisions are gettig better, too, with technologies such as new twists on quantum dots helping bring LCD TVs closer to OLED TV display performance, which has more vibrant colors and darker blacks. We also got some behind-the-scenes looks at technologies that won’t have an impact immediately, but are waiting in the wings for their time to shine. Here are our picks for the top TV trends of 2017.

4K TVs Are Mainstream

Prices on 4K, or ultra high-definition, TVs dropped significantly in the back half of 2016. And looking at the lineups from TV manufacturers for 2017, it’s clear that all but the least expensive, or very smallest, TVs will now be 4K sets. It may actually be hard to find a large 1080p set later this year.

The big question is how much prices will drop over the next eight to 10 months. Last year, 4K TV prices hit all-time lows around Black Friday, with some lower-priced brands offering 55-inch 4K smart TVs for as little as $300.

That’s good for consumers, but a challenge for manufacturers, especially since you also don’t pay much of a premium to get a smart TV. So we expect sets with other features, such as high dynamic range—with the potential to boost the difference between the darkest and brightest images a TV can produce, creating brighter, more vibrant images—to be priced a bit higher. More on HDR in a minute.